SC Contractor License – Pass the Exam
SC STATE LICENSING INFORMATION
In South Carolina commercial and residential work over $5,000 requires a SC Contractors License.
TYPE OF LICENSE:
Unlimited Building Contractor – Licensees under this classification may perform ancillary work, including grading, associated with the building or structure which the licensee has been engaged to construct. If, however, a project includes work performed under a Mechanical Contractor sub-classification or any of these license sub-classifications, the licensee must have a license in the appropriate license classification or sub-classification to perform the work: Swimming pools, Bridges, Boring and Tunneling, Water and Sewer Lines, Pipe Lines, Railroad Lines, Specialty Roofing, Marine, Water and Sewer Plants, and Asphalt Paving.
Limited Building Contractor – For Group #1, 2 and 3 limitations to construct or remodel commercial or residential buildings. Construction is limited to 3 stories. Licensees under this classification may perform ancillary work, including grading, associated with the building or structure which the licensee has been engaged to construct. If, however, a project includes work performed under a Mechanical Contractor sub-classification or any of these license sub-classifications, the licensee must have a license in the appropriate license classification or sub-classification to perform the work: Swimming pools, Bridges, Boring and Tunneling, Water and Sewer Lines, Pipe Lines, Railroad Lines, Specialty Roofing, Marine, Water and Sewer Plants, and Asphalt Paving.
Residential Contractor – For single and two family residences and apartment buildings up to 16 units and three stories in height a South Carolina Residential Building License is required.
APPLICATION:
Building Contractors must submit a completed South Carolina Commercial Contractor Examination Registration form to PSI Exam Services for the technical and Business Law exams. This form can be found at the back of the PSI Candidate Bulletin for South Carolina Commercial Contractors. Residential Contractors follow a different process, please call for details. PSI will issue an eligibility letter to take the exam. Once the exam has been successfully passed, the exam results, financial statement, fees, experience affidavit, and application are submitted to the South Carolina Contractors Licensing Board. Applications can be found on the Board’s website (info. below).
TESTING:
South Carolina requires Contractors to pass a technical trade exam and a business law exam for licensure. Candidates may take computer examinations administered at any PSI Examination Service Center. Applicants must pass a qualifying examination for licensure with a minimum score of 70%. All contractors are required to pass a separate South Carolina Business & Law exam.
General Contractor Exam Unlimited (NASCLA)
- 115 questions, 5-1/2 hours, open book, 81 correct (70%) to pass.
Limited Building Contractor Exam
- 80 questions, 5 hours, open book, 56 correct (70%) to pass.
Residential Builder Exam
- 110 questions, 6 hours, open book, 77 correct (70%) to pass.
South Carolina accepts NASCLA Accredited Examination results but still requires a separate State Business & Law Exam with a minimum score of 70% for all contractors.
RECIPROCAL AGREEMENTS:
South Carolina has General Contractor’s Exam waivers with Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Reading-Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Utah. All contractors are required to take the SC Code of Laws Take Home Exam.
WHO REGULATES CONSTRUCTION:
General contractor licensing applications, instructions and information may be obtained from:
South Carolina Contractors Licensing Board
PO Box 11329
Columbia, SC 29211-1329
(803)896-4686
www.llr.state.sc.us/pol/contractors
